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Diving club chief had sex with 15-year-old girl

First published
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by Joe Nimmo, Senior reporter. Call me on (01865) 425373

THE former chairman of a Bicester diving club has been jailed for two years for having sex with a 15-year-old girl the day before she turned 16.

Steven Allport, 43, of Eden Close, Bicester, admitted engaging in sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual behaviour.

Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, said Allport started a relationship with the girl – who cannot be named for legal reasons – in 2011 when she was 15. He said the married father-of-two contacted her on Facebook and Skype, encouraging her to engage in sexual activity on webcam with him.

The barrister said Allport, who was chairman of Bicester Sub-Aqua Club and runs a data recovery business, eventually had sex with her on the day before her birthday.

Jonathan Woodcock, defending, said his client had developed a “loving, affectionate” relationship with the girl, but now accepted that it was wrong.

He said: “He is someone who has gone through life trying to do his best, but this happened at a point of crisis and weakness and vulnerability.”

Mr Woodcock said Allport’s wife was standing by him and had supported him throughout the court proceedings.